The Student Life Center (SLC) and the renovated Swift Hall are part of MainStreet - a new spine of campus activity. MainStreet is anchored at the west by Tangeman University Center and at the east by a new Campus Recreation Center. As it links the two, the Student Life Center traverses nearly 600 feet in length and drops 55 feet in height. The most active day/night uses, such as cafés and computer labs, are located at (Main)street level.
Key paths of campus movement are reinforced by perpendicular cuts through the building. A series of "found spaces" to the north (the mews) are shaped as social places between the new and existing buildings. A covered but open-to-the air atrium is formed between SLC and Swift Hall. SLC is a single-loaded building. Social corridors along the south side reprise the movement of the arcade below and are animated by bays for informal gathering. Social stairs are daylighted and become focal points for orientation and movement.
The building form and fenestration are animated by the activities within. Bays, galleries, and arcades speak of the dynamic academic and social energy of the place.
glaserworks is architect of record; Moore Ruble Yudell is the design architect. The project has won a number of design awards. It was published in the August 2005 edition of Architectural Record.
